This wonderful bird's eye view of the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum truly captures the beginning of one of college sports' most storied rivalries. With both teams undefeated and ranked in the top 10 the #3 USC Trojans hosted the #9 UCLA Bruins in an epic football game on December 17 1939 that would end in a classic 0-0 tie. The packed stadium of 103303 is still a Coliseum record. With the Pacific Coast Conference title and a trip to the Rose Bowl on the line UCLA led 4th quarter drive down to the USC 3-yard line in the final minute only to be stopped four straight downs ending the game scoreless. USC had a better overall record and moved on to the Rose Bowl.

The 1939 UCLA team played a vital role in black history and the future of our nation's civil rights featuring a backfield of four African-Americans including Jackie Robinson Kenny Washington Woody Strode and Ray Barlett. Many felt that Kenny Washington was not only the best player in the country that season but one of the best ever. While we know the historic path Jackie took to integrate Major League Baseball it was Washington and Strode who paved the way for black football players in the post-war era as they were the first to play in the modern NFL. Strode would later became a famous Hollywood actor.

The wide crystal clear panoramic black and white photograph measures 10" by 42" and is in decent condition. There is some creasing with a pair of heavy vertical creases at both ends and a few minor tears but otherwise it is completely intact. This is understandable due to it's dimensions and the fact it has been rolled and unrolled many times. The score and date of the game are printed in white over the nearest end-zone. The photographer was Don Milton of Beverly Hills. The photo was acquired from a storage unit that belonged to relatives of A.J. Sturzenegger an assistant coach with UCLA from 1925-1948.